as in impromptu
made or done without previous thought or preparation
a spur-of-the-moment trip to the zoo
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Recent Examples of spur-of-the-moment
Authorities say Spikes-Hopkins and William didn’t know each other and had a spur-of-the-moment confrontation just before the shooting.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
And that was several weeks before Johnson pulled his shirt off after a statement 24-15 Black Friday victory over the Eagles, some spur-of-the-moment rambunctiousness that activated a free hot dog promotion at The Wiener’s Circle in Chicago.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Yet this week’s giveaway, including the free beer and ice cream, was spur-of-the-moment, Dwan said, after Rice's win last week improved the Owls to 5-5, one win away from becoming eligible for a bowl game.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Nov. 2025
Watson, in an apparent spur-of-the-moment remark, announced that the project would devote 3 to 5 percent of its budget to the study of bioethics.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spur-of-the-moment
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
And that was several weeks before Johnson pulled his shirt off after a statement 24-15 Black Friday victory over the Eagles, some spur-of-the-moment rambunctiousness that activated a free hot dog promotion at The Wiener’s Circle in Chicago.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Yet this week’s giveaway, including the free beer and ice cream, was spur-of-the-moment, Dwan said, after Rice's win last week improved the Owls to 5-5, one win away from becoming eligible for a bowl game.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Nov. 2025
Watson, in an apparent spur-of-the-moment remark, announced that the project would devote 3 to 5 percent of its budget to the study of bioethics.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spur-of-the-moment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spur-of-the-moment
Adjective
-
Staff here are always at the ready during the day to prepare specialty coffees for those who choose to make the lounge an impromptu office.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
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Those comments, viewed dimly by some German politicians, prompted the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), which bankrolls and oversees the Berlinale, to call an impromptu meeting to discuss the future of the Berlinale and Tricia Tuttle’s leadership as festival director.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Allison Barr/The Oregonian via AP Portland police said in a statement Saturday night that during an ensuing search of the vehicle and building, investigators located several incendiary and improvised explosive devices, some of which had partially detonated.—
Faris Tanyos,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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She was blessed with an unstinting energy and buoyancy that had her dashing off postcards far and wide, answering e-mails with improvised poetry, and cold-calling younger writers to offer encouragement.—
Pico Iyer,
Air Mail,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Joined on his visit by son Hunter, what Fieri (and likely many viewers) discovered was a chef turning out dishes that are at once creative and accessible, improvisational yet simple.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
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But seeing the improvisational group War Babies provided the clarity Short desperately needed.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spur-of-the-moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spur-of-the-moment. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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